Brendan Smith
Ceist:177 Mr. B. Smith asked the Taoiseach when the report of Mr. Justice Barron will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25617/03]
Written Answers. - Dublin-Monaghan Bombings.
I received Mr. Justice Barron's report into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 1974 on Wednesday 29 October. Mr. Justice Barron also included in his report his consideration of the case of John Francis Green.
The bombings which took place in Dublin and Monaghan on 17 May 1974 were among the most appalling outrages in the history of this island. Three car bombs which had been placed in Parnell Street, Talbot Street and South Leinster Street exploded without warning within minutes of each other at around 5.30 p.m. As a result, 26 people and an unborn child were killed. Later, at almost 7 p.m., a fourth no-warning bomb exploded in Monaghan town, resulting in seven more people being killed. More than 240 people required hospital treatment as a result of the bombings. Not only were 34 innocent lives lost on that terrible day but the injured, relatives and friends were left a terrible legacy of pain and suffering.
When I met Justice for the Forgotten on 26 April 1999, I gave it my commitment to ensure that the truth was established in relation to the bombings and their aftermath. The former Chief Justice, the late Liam Hamilton, began that work in January 2000 and the former Supreme Court judge Henry Barron carried it on from October of that year. I would like to take this opportunity to again thank the judge and his team for all their work in preparing the report and for their commitment and dedication to this difficult task. I would also like to pay tribute to the earlier work of the former Chief Justice, the late Liam Hamilton.
I will bring Mr. Justice Barron's report to Government as soon as possible, following necessary consideration by relevant Departments and the Attorney General with a view to the report being referred to the Oireachtas for consideration by the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality and Women's Rights when it is intended the report would be published and considered in public session.